Posted
on Wednesday, January 8, 2025
in
Privacy & Security
Scam of the Week: Fake Tax Forms, Real Malware
It’s tax season in many countries, and cybercriminals are trying to take advantage of this. In this week’s scam, cybercriminals are targeting Pakistani taxpayers. They are sending phishing emails containing attachments that appear to be official tax documents. The email includes an attachment that appears to be an official tax form from the Pakistani government.
Opening this fake file will install malware on your computer. The malware uses Microsoft Management Console (MSC) files, which can be used to run scheduled tasks on your computer. Because the malware uses scheduled tasks, it can stay active for a long time, even if you reboot your computer. This malware will infect your computer, gather your sensitive information, and steal your data. Your taxes won't be paid, but the cybercriminals will!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a malware phishing scam:
- Avoid downloading attachments from unexpected emails. Only download attachments and documents from sources you trust.
- This attack targets Pakistani taxpayers, but remember that cybercriminals can use similar methods to target residents of any country.
- Always access and download tax-related forms from official financial or government websites. When in doubt, visit an official tax-related website.
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